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Energy saving

Which appliances use the most electricity at home?

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Modern life is designed to make energy guzzlers out of every home in the US. Many people try in vain to get the electric bill down, only to find it continues creeping up every month. If your households using more electricity than seems rational, look around for one or more of these five common home energy consumers.

Top Energy Guzzlers in Your Home

1. Water Heater

Depending on the size of water heater and the length of your shower, water heaters can be the biggest energy guzzlers in a home.

Much of modern life depends on access to hot water. Your showering, laundry, and even dishwashing all depend on hot running water. Some heating systems also will use hot water. At the end of the month, this can add up to 10-20% of your electric bill.

There are ways to cut back on water heater energy use without suffering or taking cold showers. using a smaller water heater (the smaller the better!) can make a difference. In addition, keeping the thermostat a little lower can save power.

Last, the best way to save money on hot water is to simply use less of it. Take shorter showers, wash your clothing on cold when possible, and keep your eyes open for opportunities to save. Every penny can add up to a few more dollars in your pocket or your savings account.

2. Staying Warm

No one likes to be cold. However, we pay dearly for the toasty warm homes that greet us every day. Heating a home is one of the biggest energy consumers on this list. Depending on where you live and what type of heater you have, you may be using as much as 3500 kilowatt hours a month just staying warm.

Heating your home is probably one of the more necessary expenditures on this list, but there are ways to cut back. If you have an older home, make sure your system is up to modern standards and that your home is well-insulated.

If your home heating is still driving your energy bill into the stratosphere, consider heating just the rooms you’re in while letting the rest of the house get frosty. Heating a smaller amount of space usually costs much less, so the effort (and the cold unusable rooms) are probably be worth it.

3. The Cooling System

Whether you use an internal HVAC system or just a window cooler, there’s a good chance that a great deal of your energy bill goes to keeping your home cool. As average temperatures in the US soar, a growing number of people use air conditioning despite it once being considered a luxury for only the wealthiest homeowners.

The amount of energy used by your air conditioning varies according to the type of unit, your unique weather patterns, and how you use it. Regardless of these factors, there’s a good chance that this one appliance is a huge part of your warm weather energy bill.

How can you save money while keeping your home a livable temperature? Experts suggest keeping your home around 78 degrees, to begin with. Second, make sure that your home is relatively weather-proofed, with good insulation and high quality windows. Last, use the smallest unit that will do the job so you are not paying for a watt more than needed.

Ultimately, saving money on air conditioning will often mean living with slightly warmer temperatures. However, most people can live quite well at 78 degrees and enjoy a healthier energy bill at the end of the month in reward.

4. Dehumidifiers

People in dryer regions of the country may not be familiar with this appliance, which keeps the air in your home free of moisture. Without a dehumidifier, people in more humid areas may be more prone to allergies and illness due to the overgrowth of mold and mildew. This is especially true in basements and other rooms where dehumidifiers are commonly used.

However, there is no need to pay so much for these handy appliances. Experts recommend raising the humidistat to about 50% humidity, which is low enough to remain healthy but still higher than many people choose. Any lower than this and your unit may be on all the time in some seasons.

In addition, people should shut all inlets to a room when the dehumidifier is on. Dehumidifiers are not intended to strip the entire house of moisture, but rather key areas such as underground rooms and rooms with large numbers of appliances.

5. Refrigerators/Freezers

Everyone enjoys having cold and sanitary food. However, the price of good health can be high. New refrigerators are more energy efficient than their predecessors but still use approximately 30-200 kWh per month.

An older refrigerator may cost even more, using almost twice as much as newer models. Although most people will not go without a refrigerator in order to save money, there are a few ways to cut this expense back as seen in this video.

Keeping your freezer defrosted, for example, can make a measurable difference on the amount of energy that it uses.

Saving Energy, Saving Money

There’s no need to live like the Amish to save money on electricity. Most people can find a few ways to cut back without too much sacrifice. In addition, some of these energy-saving tips (such as insulating well and keeping up to date appliances) will contribute immensely to the value of your home. In summary, use the following tips to save money on your electric bill:

  • Adjust your water heater
  • Keep your home in good repair, with high quality windows and insulation
  • Use newer appliances that have been designed to use less energy
  • Use “energy control” settings whenever possible
  • Use only as much as you need

Sources:

Energy.Gov

Energy Efficiency In Buildings : 2020 Guide

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Your Quick Guide to An Energy Efficient Building

Energy efficiency is a significant expense in commercial buildings, but it’s also one of the largest controllable overheads. That’s why it makes business sense to reduce energy consumption in the office. Not only does saving energy save money, but it also reduces your building’s carbon emissions, enhancing your corporate reputation.

Saving energy as we go into winter may seem like a challenge, but it also presents the opportunity to make a real impact by implementing energy-saving measures. Simple actions (at low or zero cost) can save energy, cut costs and increase productivity.

Some of the main energy users over which you do have some control are your building’s heating and lighting technology. This article suggests some simple tips to help you save energy in these key areas.

Optimising your building’s heating efficiency

Heating accounts for 20-40% of energy costs in a typical office building. Businesses can save up to 30% of their heating costs by reducing heating temperatures by just 1°C – this simple change alone can cut fuel consumption by 8%.

Without compromising on comfort…

The recommended temperature for offices is 21–23°C. However, with internal heat gains from lighting and office equipment, it may be sufficient to set your thermostat to 19-20°C. Turning the heating down can thus save a lot of energy, while still maintaining a comfortable working environment.

Upgrade heating controls

Old, inefficient time controls can be problematic and upgrading them can result in energy and cost savings.

  • Inexpensive time controls can automatically switch your heating off at the end of the workday so that you’re not wasting energy when no-one is in the building.
  • Certain heating systems can automatically regulate the heating temperature according to the weather. This means that your internal temperatures will automatically decrease when warmer outside weather makes for a warmer office environment, keeping staff comfortable and wastage low.

Maintain your equipment and systems

  • Clear fans, radiators and ducts of furniture and any other obstructions – if these are blocked, the equipment will be using more energy than it needs to to get the job done.
  • Replace any filters at the recommended intervals.
  • Maintain boilers and pipework. (Did you know? A regularly-serviced boiler can save as much as 10% on annual heating costs.)
  • Insulate boilers, hot water tanks, pipes and valves to prevent heat from escaping.
  • Your lighting also needs regular maintenance – without it, light levels can fall by least 30% in 2-3 years.
  • Ensure that skylights, windows, light fittings and occupancy sensors are kept clean.
  • Implement a regular maintenance schedule for all aspects of the building. A professional facilities maintenance company can also take this off your hands, giving you one less thing to worry about.

Lighten your energy bill

Depending on the needs and type of your building and environment, lighting can account for anything from 15-70% of your total energy costs. Enhancing your lighting’s energy efficiency is a quick win to bring your building’s energy bill.

Here’s how:

Switch to low-energy lighting such as Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). Originally developed for electronics, LEDs have become the light source of choice in the last 10 years, providing illumination at a fraction of the cost of legacy sources.

The benefits of LED lighting:

  • LEDs have the highest lamp life of all lighting types
  • Easy to control
  • No warm-up periods
  • In recent years, the cost of LEDs has come down significantly
  • Technological developments have improved lighting output, energy efficiency and reliability.
  • Superior colour and contrast
  • LEDs don’t produce electro-magnetic interference or use ballasts which produce a“hum” sound
  • Better controllability: through dimming and instantaneous switch off and on

LED lighting also makes for more comfortable and optimal working conditions due to its superior glare suppression, colour rendering, quietness and illumination levels.

Retrofitting luminaires with LED

Most luminaires can be retrofit with LED technology. However, full luminaire replacement is preferable as this ensures that the fitting uses the correct wiring and control gear.

Switch off policy for all staff

Involve your staff at all levels in your energy efficiency efforts by encouraging them to switch lights and appliances off when not in use.

  • Place reminder stickers above light switches
  • Clearly label light switches to help employees know which ones they can turn off

Invest in sensors

Daylight sensor with a photocell override (this gives the option of keeping lights off on bright days) can achieve savings of up to 50% on lighting costs. Occupancy sensors automatically turn lights off after a period of vacancy.

Your Quick Energy-Savings Checklist

  • Turn down your heating.
  • Implement a maintenance schedule or hire a facilities maintenance company.
  • Use motion-activated lighting options for staff and stock rooms.
  • Replace all bulbs with low energy options such as CFL bulbs which use less electricity.
  • Fluorescent tube lighting can be replaced with slimline fluorescent tubes which use 25% less electricity.
  • Encourage your staff to be more conscious of energy efficiency (for example, only filling kettles with as much water as is needed, or turning off electrical appliances when not in use).
  • When purchasing new equipment for your office, make sure that it uses energy efficient technology.

These relatively simple solutions can help you save money, increase your staff productivity, and reduce your carbon footprint—all of which enhances your bottom line.

Switch and save

Another quick win for energy efficiency is switching to a cheaper energy deal. The best way of doing this is to compare prices from all suppliers, but this can be a time-consuming process.

An expert business energy broker can shop the market on your behalf, helping you switch and save! An energy broker will ensure that you benefit from the most favourable utility contracts, pricing plans and management systems for your requirements, no matter the size and turnover of your enterprise.

Why pay more for your energy than you need to? Saving on cheaper tariffs allows you to put the money you’re saving to better use within your building.

About the Author

Shea Karssing is a writer for Smarter Business, one of the UK’s leading independent consultancies, helping businesses secure the most comprehensive savings solutions from utilities contract management and procurement to business loans and facilities maintenance.

17 Easy Ways to Save on Energy Costs Today

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As we move into 2020, the priority for many homeowners and tenants alike is to try and become more budget conscious. There are many ways which this can be done. However, one of the most effective money saving methods which any household or business can engage is to reduce your power bills.

Not only does this have a positive impact on your monthly power bill, leaving you with a sometimes great financial saving; it also means that you are doing your bit for society by becoming more socially aware and trying to reduce wastefulness when it comes to energy.

Many times, people harbor two misconceptions about saving energy above others. The first is that they simply cannot find areas to reduce their power usage. This is not true, there are a variety of areas where you can save money. We subconsciously waste energy and needlessly increase our costs on a daily basis. This has become so ingrained in the daily routine for most of us, that we struggle to comprehend we are actually contributing to the problem.

The second area of greatest misconception is that saving some energy will have little or no impact on the overall power cost whilst realty afflicting our daily lives. Again, this is an incorrect pre-conception. In fact, the accumulation of savings over the long term when we commit to energy saving can be astounding. This can be achieved through a remarkably small change of habit which has really no lasting impact on our daily lives in the long term, certainly not in a negative way.

Easy Ways to Save on Energy Costs

1. Change Your Bulbs

save on energy costYour bulbs are likely to be some of the most used devices in your home. They can also be some of the most costly if you are not mindful of their power output. The sound of parents or prudent housemates telling us to “turn out lights when you aren’t using them” is probably ringing forever in our ears. This advice though is well founded and the first step you can take in lowering your home energy cost, sometimes dramatically.

Secondly and following on from ensuring you keep unused lights switched off, you can and should actually change your light-bulbs if you haven’t already done so. By making the change to energy saving LED bulbs, you can save more than $4 annually per bulb. This represents a huge saving when you consider the number of bulbs in your home.

These days, the cost of changing to LED is greatly reducing, this makes it an ideal time to change. You can expect that your initial investment in changing bulbs can be repaid within as little as six months based on current market prices, meaning any savings beyond that time are going directly where they should. Into your pocket.

For more precise calculations, you can always check here by inputting your home bulb usage to display an accurate assessment of your potential saving.

2. Install Solar Energy

Many may see the solar energy and install solar panel as an expensive venture which they are unsure of how to start. Indeed, this can be true. However, with planning and a little ingenuity, powering your home by solar means does not have to be an insurmountable task.

Firstly, there are a number of government initiatives around the world where governments will subsidize part or all of the cost of your solar power. This depends on a number of variables and you would have to contact your local authorities for more precise details on schemes, grants and other benefits which may exist in your area.

In terms of getting started on a budget, it is also now very possible to construct your own DIY solar infrastructure. This does not need to be an extensive and overly complex task. The existence of companies like SolarPod can help you get started really fast and at minimal cost.

In terms of energy savings, these too will be dependent on your location and a number of other variable factors. However, averagely, it has been reported that using solar energy to power the home can save up to 50% on your monthly power bills. Don’t forget also that in many cases you can also revenue from selling your power back to the grid.

If you are in the market for a less fixed solar alternative for versatile use, check out our recent articles on solar powered generators for more information and the best market prices available.

3. Programmable Thermostats

Another big accelerator of your power bill in the wrong direction is through the unregulated use of your heating system during cold periods. Whether it is the result of forgetfulness and leaving the system on while you are out or through an overestimate of the power you actually need, this can cause a spike in the overall cost of your energy.

Of course, you should stay as warm and cozy as possible, especially in winter. The key though is moderation. Overheating is simply not necessary. It is something which many of us are guilty of, without even realizing. The solution is simple and easily implemented- Get yourself a programmable thermostat.

This means that you will easily be able to control your home’s heating at all times. Not only does this ensure that you will stay toasty warm at the correct times, it also means that you will avoid unrequired loss of heat and a nasty surprise at the end of the month. The Nest provides one of the most comprehensive systems on the market for control the heating of your home and over time represents a wonderful investment.

4. Combine Your Fridges and Freezers

Sure, we like to have ample storage for our favorite foods. This could be brought about by happening upon an unbeatable deal at the local market, or by wanting to stock up for the festive season or other causes for celebration and major household events. The existence of a hungry and growing family also helps to increase the demand for food storage space.

Be mindful, however, that this extra storage does not come cheap in the case of your power bill. The extra facility of a fridge or freezer can be the culprit for a sustained period of high power bills. This is especially true in hot summer times or as equipment begins to age and has to work harder to maintain the cool temperatures.

A refrigerator can cost you close to an additional $300 per year in terms of your power bill. That is something to reflect on before deciding whether or not you really need that additional space.

5. Downsize

This may not be the solution that everybody wants to hear, however, size is one of the biggest determining factors when it comes to power consumption and thus price. A big home essentially means that you are losing a lot of energy in many locations. This could be through windows, door cavities or just from high ceilings and large open space alone, especially heating and cooling systems will use a lot of unnecessary energy.

This can be combatted by reducing the space. It is the most certain way to reduce your power bills and overall energy consumption. This need not be done by moving house necessarily. Partitioning off unused parts of your house can also be effective and ensuring to shut off lights and heat in unused rooms can be vastly beneficial to a reduced power bill.

It may not be music to everybody’s ears but it is one of the more drastic measures you can take if you want to reduce power costs and also embrace a more cozy form of living.

6. Improve Your Insulation

A large amount of heat in winter can simply escape your home due to poor insulation. This is akin to money simply breezing out through the walls and can be frustrating for any homeowner or tenant. There are several ways which you can attempt to improve this situation.

As the homeowner, you could have your house re-insulated or the type of insulation improved if your house is on the older side. If you are renting then it may be advisable to ask the landlord about this situation if you are suffering a notable loss of heat.

You can also improve your roofing, as heat will rise and escape through the upper part of your home.

On the less expensive side, you should ensure that all doors leading to the outside are using a draft protector. This will help to guarantee you are not losing much energy. Also, in the case of windows and other cracks, it may be worth investing in some sealer to easily plug any small gaps. In winter you could also cover windows which you do not require for direct natural light such as your bathroom to reduce heat loss.

7. Compare the Best Providers

It is, of course, essential to shop around for the best deals when trying to save on your energy bill. This may not always be comfortable for people, but rest assured that companies expect some calls and tough negotiations. There are certainly bargains to be had if you can talk well and research the prices of the market competitors before calling.

These days it has never been easier to compare a variety of providers for every service thanks to the internet and ease of accessibility of information. Your energy bill is no different. By not shopping around, you are doing yourself a disservice. Use sites like this one to source the best deals.

When your current deal runs out or if you spot a better one, you should also be sure to call again and try to renegotiate. These things can be more flexible than we would first imagine.

8. Use Alternative Heating Methods

These days the world is your oyster when it comes to heating your home. You can investigate many different heating methods. Some of these methods will be more effective than others but they are options to explore none-the-less.

One of these, if you have the facility to do so if an open fire with a connection back boiler. This would serve the dual purpose of heating your living room most likely and also heat the radiators in the rest of your home through the use of the boiler.

Fueled using a variety of methods, this can be effective at saving on your energy bill, though depending upon your fuel source, it may or may not be effective in helping to reduce your carbon footprint.

9. Electric Blankets are Your Friend

On these long, cold, winter nights there is an overwhelming temptation to fill bedrooms full of centrally heated radiator warmth. Whilst this is absolutely warm and cozy, it is certainly not the way to a cheaper power bill.

The electric blanket is a device which many of us will have fond memories of, perhaps from childhood or other times, though do not think that it is confined to bygone eras. The electric blanket is alive and thriving. It is no better and safer than ever before. Indeed, electric blankets are the most efficient way of providing your bed with that toasty warm feeling.

Not only will electric blankets like this one provide direct heating to the areas which need it most. They also help to minimize heat lost within the rest of the room and by doing this, reduce your power bill.

10. Install a Traditional Stove

Another addition you can make to your home which again harks back to an earlier time. A traditional stove with cooking and heating facilities as well as the ability to house a semi-open fire used to be a firm staple of the family home.

That was replaced in the intervening years with open fires and top of the range gas cookers for the kitchen and living room respectively. However, the wisdom of the previous generations is well noted. The traditional style stove is back in fashion.

A big part of its coming back to style is the fact that a traditional stove will save ample amounts on your monthly power bill and overall serve to improve your energy efficiency.

Through its own natural power to emit heat, your oil or gas based energy costs will tumble. Also, it provides the additional facility of being able to cook. Nowadays, the investment in a trendy, modern style of stove is well founded. There are many popular brands to choose from and all at reasonable prices which will see you make a positive change in your monthly energy costs.

11. Use Fans in summer

There is nothing more refreshing on a hot summer’s day than the cool breeze of an air conditioning unit. It is true that there are a number of power saving options on the more modern units such as this one. These can work well when trying to control overall costs.

It has been shown that using a fan instead of an air-conditioner in some cases can cut your energy emission by around 90%. This, of course, translates into fantastic and measurable savings on your final bills.

The cost of installation and maintenance of a fan is also very manageable in comparison to an AC unit. Regardless if you are using ceiling fans or portable mini fans, the principle is the same and they are quite easy to take care of. In the case of ceiling fans such as these, they also make a beautiful decoration for any household when not in use.

To give you home a modern, retro design twist, and all the while keeping cool for less in the sweltering summer months, give serious consideration to investing in some home ceiling fans.

12. Ration Your Air Conditioning Use

We all love to stay as cool as possible during a hot summer season. Admittedly, however, this can be taken to excess sometimes and our homes are left feeling like the proverbial igloo. Of course, this may provide comfort and respite in the most sweltering of conditions, but it also helps your power bill to skyrocket.

You can manage this by controlling your use of air-conditioning. Make sure that you are only using it for short periods throughout the day and also never forget to switch off if you are leaving home for any reason.

Also, ensure that you service your AC Unit regularly to avoid any malfunctions and that it is performing to the best of its capabilities. Turning down or turning off your AC for just an additional one hour per day can help to reduce your overall power consumption by up to 25%. By doing this, the knock-on effect is that you also reduce your power cost.

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13. Reduce the Use of Your Clothes Dryer

We all like to have our clothes dried as fast as possible. This has become something which we have taken for granted over recent years with the increasing availability of clothes dryers which are more powerful, gentle on our clothes and even power economic in many cases.

Sure you can pick up some models like this one which has fantastic power economy modes, and at great prices. However, the fact remains that clothes dryers are one of the heaviest users of power in our households.

The more we can reduce using the clothes dryer, the more money we are likely to save.

Another benefit of reducing the use of a clothes dryer is that you take care of protecting your clothes for longer. Using a dryer to constantly dry your clothes leads to them becoming more damaged and faded, with a shorter lifespan.

14. Air Dry Your Dishes

Much in the same manner as we discussed reducing the use of a clothes dryer, air drying your dishes can have a positive impact on your overall power consumption. As far as the kitchen goes, Dishwashers are another strong user of power.

If you have a large family and a high volume of dishes, it is perfectly understandable that you will use a dishwasher to avoid spending large chunks of your day over the sink. The reality, however, is that many dishwashers will require you to give the items a rinse before placing them in the machine regardless.

As well as reducing your overall power consumption and cost, your cost will also be reduced in buying the tablets necessary to operate the machine and also saved on the time and money that some of the technical problems can cause. Finally, air-drying your dishes is also the most natural process, avoiding contact with any chemicals.

15. Install Dimmer Switches

This is a great energy and cost-saving method for your home. Quite simply, it is not required that we have full light radiating through our rooms at all times. Installing dimmer switches means that not only do we have the ability to reduce our costs significantly at the end of the month, we can also ensure that we set the appropriate mood for different situations and times of the day.

Dimmer switches can save you a varying amount on your bills, depending on how much you use their features and how you dim and control the lights. Nowadays, with smart homes becoming ever more popular, the dimmer switches are also commonly developed with preset lighting functions so you no longer have to toggle delicately to find the perfect setting.

16. Off-Peak Rates

One of the biggest drivers of increased cost on your power bill is using too much power at the incorrect times. If you are prudent with the times of day when you choose to use the bulk of your energy, then you can, in turn, save a great deal at the month’s end. There is a sizable difference between the costs of electrical power at peak hours versus the cost during off-peak times, sometimes as much as 50% depending on your provider.

17. Cold Laundry Washes

A final area where you can prioritize saving money on your power bill is by washing in cold water. Much like turning off heat drying in your dishwasher or reducing the heat of your clothes dryer, washing in cold water saves on the energy which would be expended in heating the water. This process uses a lot of energy, akin to a power shower in terms of water heating.

Washing in cold water is a great way to save up to 25% on your power costs and it is also more beneficial to many of your more delicate items to be washed in cold water.

Conclusion

With these fantastic power saving tips, you can be sure not only to save power but also have a positive impact where it matters- Your pocket.

As we can see, it is easy to influence almost any part of your daily routine to reduce power bills and energy consumption. This also does not have to constitute an arduous struggle. Even the smallest changes can make a huge difference to the bottom line.

For all of your power and energy needs and advice, feel free to review any of our other articles. These will help provide you with helpful insight into a wide variety of products as well as useful and practical advice for your everyday power requirements.

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